Air daredevils to meet crowds

The Red Arrows, the RAF's acclaimed aerobatics display team, will thrill the crowds in the air and then meet the people on the ground at the big RAF Cosford Air Show this year.

Originally it was thought pressures on the team during the RAF's 90th anniversary year would prevent the daredevil pilots from landing and returning to the crowd area to spend time on their Arrows display stand at the event on June 1.

But show organisers have now learned the team - which is off to Canada immediately after the Cosford show - will be able to land and spend time mixing with visitors.

Air show co-ordinator Norman Branagh said: "The Arrows' RAF 90 commitments this year meant there were doubts about the time they would be able to spend at Cosford - in the air and on the ground. We had to bring forward our show date by a week anyway, in order to ensure their appearance.

"But we are delighted to find they have reviewed their schedule and will be giving their full display before landing at Shawbury and spending time with us on their stand."

Since their formation in 1965 the Red Arrows have given more than 4,000 displays in more than 50 countries. The nine display pilots are backed up by a 100-strong team.

The show's flying display programme will include the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane and a range of aircraft representing the development of combat machines over the 90 years of the RAF - from the lightweight fighters of World War One to the latest machine in squadron service with the RAF, the Typhoon.

Attendance at Cosford this year will have a further boost by an enhanced time-table and extra-coach trains, along with reduced all-in-one tickets which can be bought in advance.

Advance tickets are available from Shropshire Star branch offices, the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Stoke on Trent Tourist Information Centre and Mid Counties Co-operative retail branches in the Midlands.

Postal bookings can be sent to See, 4th Floor, Norfolk House, 47 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham NG1 2AB, and there is a 24-hour credit card booking line on 08712 301083.

Visit www.cosfordairshow.co.uk